Thomas Ryder Jr.

THOMAS RYDER JR. Cedar Rapids Thomas H. Ryder Jr., 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a brief hospital stay. Thomas donated his body to the University of Iowa. Surviving are his wife, Carol of Cedar Rapids; and his five children, Thomas (Suzy) Ryder III of Boise, Idaho, Jim (Sarah) Ryder of Lexington, Ky., Beth (Dave) Hill of Monroe, N.C., Paul Ryder of Cedar Rapids, daughter-in-law Cathy Ryder, and Amy (Jamie) Butters of Pleasant Ridge, Mich. Also surviving are six grandsons, seven granddaughters, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Thomas Vernon, Harry and Donald. Tom was born June 3, 1924, in Grand Haven, Mich., a son of Thomas and Fannie (Vernon) Ryder. He graduated from Newton (Iowa) High School. He served in combat in the Army Air Corps in World War II, received a law degree from Drake University in 1950 and retired from Collins Radio after 26 years. He married Carol Koons on Jan. 24, 1948, and they enjoyed almost 68 years together. He was a member of Central Park Presbyterian Church for 50 years, and was a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. He served on several boards, including Safe Place, Margaret Bock Housing and Ecumenical Community Center. He was a longtime friend of Bill W. The family would like to thank Barb and John Gudenkauf, as well as the staff at Mercy Medical Center and Hospice of Mercy. Tom was an avid sports fan. He cheered for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Drake Bulldogs, UNI Panthers, Indian Hills volleyball, Kennedy Cougars, Newton Cardinals and the Detroit Lions and Tigers. He was so proud of this year's Rose Bowl-bound Iowa football team. Go Hawks! Win one for Dad! Services will be Monday, Dec. 28, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Family will be available starting at 3 p.m., with services at 3:30. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tom and Carol Ryder Cougar Student Scholarship Fund, c/o Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation, 2500 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, or the Fellowship Club. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.